Machine for molding counter stiffeners



i March 26, 1940.

M. L. DODGE 2,194,892

MACHINE FOR MOLDING COUNTER STIFFENERS Filed Sept. 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 26, 1940. M. L. DODGE MACHINE FOR MOLDING COUNTER STIFFENERS Filed Sept. 28, 1938 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- March 26, 1940. M. L. DODGE 2,194,892

'7 MACHINE FOR MOLDING COUNTER STIFFENERS Filed Sept. 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 26, 1940 I MACHINE FOR MOLDING COUNTER STIFFENERS Milton L. Dodge, Newburyport, Mass. Application September 28, 1938, Serial No. 232,131

12 Claims.

This inventionrelates to the molding of counter stiffeners for shoes, and has for one object to effect the bending over of the stiffener-attaching flange by inwardly directed wiping pressure.

Thus the pressure is in the general direction of the bending action, which results-in easier action of the machine and less tendency to distortj'the stiffening wings thanwhen the wiping pressure is primarily or entirely forwardly from the heel end as is the present usual practice.

A further object is to provide for' accurate over-molding when desired so-that when the forming pressure has been removed the parts will not spring back beyond their desired molded condition.

Another object is to provide a construction whereby the forward portion of the attaching flanges of the stiffeners may be molded downwardly curved to form what is known in the trade as a curved front counter.

Further objects and advantages will appear from a more complete understanding of certain embodiments of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which 25 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a molding machine embodying the invention, the machine being in condition to receive acounter blank or stiffener to be molded.

Figures 2 and '3 are perspective views of a counter stiffener and a covered counter, respec tively, molded by the machine of Figure 1.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary top' plan views of the clamping and flange wiping mechanisms in successive positions during a molding 35 operation.

Figures 7 and 8 are detail sections on lines 1-! of Figure 4 and 88 of Figure 6, respectively. i

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but

40 showing the molding parts arranged for overmolding the flanges.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, the machine being conditioned to receive a blank to be molded.

45 Figure 11 is a detail section to a larger scale on line IIH of Figure i0, and showing a blank in position to be molded.

Figure 12 is a view similar to- Figure 11, but showing the parts in molding position.

5 Figures 13 and 14 are views similar to Figures 12 and 11, respectively, and illustrating modifications for over-molding and for curved front molding, respectively. I

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a drop front counter.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 10, at I is indicated the top of a bench or stand having a slot in its forward edge to receive the rearwardly extending web 2 of a bracket 3.] This bracket extends both above and'below the table I. .Above which will 'be further described.

this top face is shown curved upwardly forwardly the table it extends upwardly and then forwardly asat 4, and at 5 it is formed with'a horizontal bosshaving ahole therethroughfor the slidable reception'of a rod 6. To the forward end ofthe'rod 6 are pivoted, as at 1, two wipers 8 which are'noimally held with their forward ends spaced well apart as by a torsion spring 9 (see Figures 4, 5 and 6). The ends of this torsion spring may engage pins It] upstanding from the wipers'andthe intermediate portion of this spring is coiled around the pivot 'l. The wipers 8 are slidable on the top face of a rear outer molding form H which is mounted for sliding motion cna pair of guide rods l2 (see Figures 4, 5 and 6). These guide rods have their rear ends threaded and are passed through holes in the front stifiening flange l3 of the bracket portio'nc l in which they are secured as by the nuts [4. The molding form is provided with guiding holes l5 through which'the rods 12 pass.

The molding form It is normally held retracted toward the bracket 2, as by means of a pair of coil springslfi engaging at their ends on suitable hooks in the form II and the flange I3, respectively, but it may be forced forward away from the bracket 2 and into clamping relation to an inside molding form '20 by the depression of a wedge shaped member'2l which is located between anti-friction rolls 22 and 23 journaled on the form llv and .the portion 4, respectively. The inside form 20, which is shaped to the contour of the counter stifiener to be molded, is I supported rigidly, being provided with a stem portion 25 having a dovetail connection at its lower end at 26 with a portion 21 of the bracket 2. This inside presser form 20 is provided with as concaved' near its outer margin to permit over-molding of the stiffener flange in a manner In Figure 14 to produce: a contour of flange shown in Figure 15 where the counter stiffener flange, when the counter is placed right side "up, curves downwardly'at its forward end, such a counter stiffener being what is known in the trade as a curved front counter.

, .Beside the rear outer presser member I I, which isadapted to engage the central portion of a stifiener blank and to press it against the back face of, the inside form 20, there are a pair of outer side forms 30 which act to mold the side walls of the, counter or counter stiffener to the side walls of the inside form 20. Each of these side forms 30 is shown'as carried at the upper end of an arm 3|, each arm and a side presser member being integral. These arms are fulcrumed as at 32 to the upper ends of yoke portions 33 upstanding from a base member 34 which form substantially a forward extension of the flange 3. These arms 3| extend below their fulcrums 32 and their lower ends are joined by a pair of toggle links 38 pivoted together at 31' and to the upper end of a guide bar 39 vertically slidable in a sleeve portion 48 at the forward face of the bracket 2 and below the table To the lower end of the guide rod 39 is pivoted at 5! a pair of bars 42. Between the lower ends of these bars 42 is positioned a treadle member 43 to which these bars are pivoted as at 44. The treadle 43 is shown as fulcrumed at 45 at the lower end of a frame bar 48 secured as by the screws 57 to the back face of the bracket 2. l A. coil spring 58 engaging at one end over a hook 5! on the treadle t3, and at the other end over a hook 52, secured to the bar 46, normally holds the bars 42 and the guide rod 38 elevated and with the side presser forms 30 swung away from the inside presser form 20 in position to receive a blank stiffener to be molded therebetween. The lower end of the bar 546 is shown as braced by a frame piece ,55. engaging a cross bar 58 extending between a pair of leg supports 5'! for the table or bench I.

Beside the treadle 43 for actuating the raising and lowering of the rods 42 and the bar 39, which acts to swing the side presser arms from and toward each other, there is also provided a hand lever 88. This hand lever is fulcrumed as at 6! to the lower end of the bracket 2 to which it is connected by the transverse pin 62 carried by the bars 12 and extending through a slot 63 in the lever 88. This hand lever 68 is shown as connected, also, through a pull rod 64, having a turnbuckle 65 therein by which the effective length of the rod may be adjusted, through a pivot 66, to the lower extremity of the wedge member 2| so that as the hand lever 60 is depressed, either by exerting manual pressure thereon, or by depression of the treadle 13, the wedge blockZl is lowered and the outer back-forming member H is wedged forwardly to clamp the central portion of a stiffener blank such as shown in Figure 11 at It against the rear face of the inside form 20, this pressure not only clamping the blank between these parts, but also molding the back'portion of the counter stiffener, Due to the concave shape of the forward face of the back-forming member I l which is generally complemental to the convex back face of the inside form, it will be evident from an inspection of Figure 11, that, the backforming member will contact, eccentrically with the blank, contacting first with its upper portion. This eccentric pressure on the blank would tend to rock it counterclockwise on the form and to depress the forward ends of the blank between the inside form and the presser members. To overcome this tendency, a cushion l8 may be employed of soft rubber or the like (see Figure 14) which presents a yielding surface positioned to contact initially with the blank between its upper and lower edges at such a point that the blank is clamped against yielding to any later applied eccentric pressure. Means are thus provided to prevent tilting of the blank by the eccentric engagement of the unyielding portions of the back-molding member. As the back-molding member approaches its fully closed position, the cushion yields so that the molding of the blank to the contour of the inner form is insured.

After the narrow lower portion of the wedge block 2| has been brought down below the rollers 22 and 23, a wider portion 12 with substantially parallel sides comes between the rollers 22 and 23, whereupon the wedge block 2| is free to be further depressed without efiect to move the rear presser member ll.

When theblank is being molded, this clamping .and molding pressure exerted against the heel end of what will be the finally molded counter, is the firstaction in the cycle of operations, and by so gripping the blank to be molded, it is held in condition for molding operations on other portions thereof without there being danger of displacement of the blank from its correct position during the molding operation. This first clamping action is taking place while the side presser members 30 are being moved toward clamping and molding engagement with the wings of the blank, but no substantial pressure is exerted by the side presser members until after clamping and molding has been effected between the back of the inside form 20 and the rear outside form ll.

Means are also provided by which a certain portion of the downward motion of the hand lever 60 or the treadle 43, or both, is effective to bring the wipers 8 into action to wipe inwardly and downwardly over the upper face of the inside forming member 20, the marginal portion of the blank, which'is extended above the top face of the inside forming member 20 during the initial stages of the molding operation. This connection as shown best in Figure 1, comprises a rocker link 88 pivoted at 8| to the rear end of the bar 6 and pivotally connected as at 82 to the forward end of a link 83. The rear end of this link is pivoted as at 84 to the back portion of a generally U shaped frame member 85 having its legs secured as by screws 86 to the upper and lower portions of the part 4 of the bracket 2. This link is also pivotally connected as at 81 to the upper end of a bar 88. This bar is made in two sections connected by a turnbuckle 89 so that their effective length can be adjusted, and the lower end is secured as by threading into a block 90. This block 90 is pivoted as. at 8| through a slot 82 of the block to the rear end of the hand lever 68. Downward pressing of the handle 60, or the treadle 43, acts through the pin and slot connection at 9|, to push the bar 88 upwardly after a preliminary lost motion which is ineffective to push the bar 88, but which will advance the pin 9| to the upper end of its slot. This effective length of this slot may be determined by the adjustment of the lower section of the bar 88 in the block 90 and this determines the amount of motion permitted the hand lever 68 before the bar 88 is pushed upwardly. It pushes upwardly on this bar, lifts the link 88. so far as is permitted by an adjustable stop screw 83 carried by the bracket frame 85 and causes a forward motion of the rod 5 and of the wipers 8. Links 88 and 83 form a toggle.

It is important in effecting a proper molding of the stiffener flange that the forward ends of wipers 8 should be prevented from being sprung upwardly during the wiping operation, and for this purpose, and also for the purpose of swinging the forward end of these wipers about the pivot 1 toward each other so that the wiping pressure may be exerted on the margin of the stiffener substantially perpendicular to its face, both at the back and at the sides of the counter stiffener, to form the flange H, the side jaws 38 are shown as provided with cam elements I00. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9,

these elements are formed integral with the members 30, although they might be formed separately and secured thereto. in Figures 7 and 8 these blocks I00 may have inwardly projecting flanges [0| at their upper edges which, when the side jaws are in molding position, or close thereto, extend over the ,top

faces of the wipers 8 at their forward ends. The

inner faces of the cam blocks Hill are inclined so as to engage on the outer edges of the wipers 8 as these wipers are moved forwardly by upward motion of the bar 88, and as the forms 30 are swung inwardly, these two actionsresulting in closing the wipers 8 against the tension of the spring 9 into thev position shown in Figure 6 from the position shown in Figures 4 and 5. -In

, the position'of Figure 6 these wipers have wiped the edge of the blank, extending above the top of the inner form 20 over and downwardly against the top face ofthis form to form the flange H.

In order further to hold the wipers down during the wiping operation, an automatic holddown member I05 may be provided (see Figures 1, 11,12 and 13). This hold-down member comprises a bar pivoted as at I06 at its upper end to a block It"! adjustable within a casing memher 188 secured as by bolts I09 to the top of the arm portion 1. The block In! may be held within the socket member 138 by a transverse pin Ilil carried by the casing and passing through .a slot H l in the block, and the upper limit of motion of the block may be adjustably determined by a stop screw H2 threaded through the upper end of the member Hi8. When the parts are in the position of Figure 1, the lower end of the bar 505 is held retracted against the forward end of the rod 5 as by a spring H4, but as this rod 6- is pushed forwardly, the bar I85 is rocked toward substantially vertical position in ticularly toward its'outer margin, will be concaved as shown in Figure9, and-the screw H2 will then be adjusted so that as the wipers come in over the top of the form, they will be pushed downwardly from their original position so as to press the margins of the stiffener into downwardly inclined position as shown in Figure 9. This inclination is intended to be such that after the molding operation has been finished, the natural springiness of the stiffener material which tends to return the flange portion some-. what toward its original unmolded condition will spring the flange back not. substantially above a single plane.

If it is desired to form a curved'front counter, the forward end of the top face of the'inside molding form 20b will be curved upwardly as at and the forward ends of the wipers will be correspondingly upwardly curved as. at 12L Thus when the wipers are moved inwardly the flange portion of the counter stiffener will take a corresponding contour as shown in Figure 15, the forward ends of the flange and their juncture with the side walls of the counter stiffener curv- As shown best ing upwardly as shown at I23 in Figure 15. Sincethe stiffener as shown is molded upside down, when it is turned into its normal position of use,-the forward ends of the flange and its juncture with the side walls of the stiffener, will 5 curve downwardly so as to approximately follow the curvature of the sole of a shoe inthe shank portion into which a counter'of this en- .eral type will project. q- Not only is this machine adapted to mold 10 counter stilfeners, but it may also be employed to mold a counter including the stiffeneranda covering therefor, such as is commonly employed for the heel and waist portions of certain kinds of fancy women's shoes such as sandals 15 having the forward portions of their uppers largely open. Such a construction is shown Figure 3, where the stiffener l29, indicated by the dotted lines, is enclosed within a cover I30, the outer face of which'is formed of the 3111a- 20 terial which it is desired to show in the finished shoe, and the inside ofwhich isformed, of the, lining material. The two are secured together with the stiffener between them,,while in-blank form, and then during the operation of themia+ 25' chine, boththe stiffener and its cover members are molded to the desired "configuration.

In operation, therefore, the machine being shown in the position of Figures 1 and 10, and the proper molding forms for the size and style 30 of shoe, for which the stiffener is intended having been chosen and placed in the machine, the operator inserts the flat stiffener or counter member; between the inner and outer mold portions. He then depresses either the handle 60 or the treadle 35. -43, first bringing up the backoutside mold against the back of the stiffener blank and clamping, it to the back face of the inside mold and forming it to the desired contour, the margins of the stiff,- ener which extend above the mold ZObeing so chosen that they will form the attaching. flange for the stiffener or counter portion after. the molding operation. Continued downward mo tion of the treadle and the handle 60 bringin the side molding forms to clamp the side portions ofthe blank between the molding surfaces of the inner and outer side forms, and the wipers are brought in over the rear and from the sides to fold and wipe down this projecting margin to form the attaching flange for the counter member or thecounter stiffener. The parts in their final molding position are as shown in Figure 6, where all the outside molds press and conform the counter or stiffener to the desired contour, the wipers 8 being in the position shown in Figure 6,,where they, have wiped 'over the flange substantiallytangential thereto at any point and are pressing downwardly on this flange, molding it betweenthe lower faces of the wipers and the upper face of the inside form. At the completion of the molding operation the machine is opened as by lifting the handle 60, and the molded counter or stiffener is removed.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit or scope'of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an inside molding form,-a rear outside form, outer side forms, means moving said forms to first clamp and, mold a blank partly embracing said inside form between said inside and. rear outside forms, and then between 15 said side forms and inside form to further clamp and mold said blank, a pair of wipers, and operative connections beJween said wipers and side forms for causing said wipers to wipe in over said inside form a margin of said blank to form a stiifener attaching flange as said outside forms are moved to molding and clamping positions.

2. In combination, an inside molding form, a rear outside form, outer side forms, means moving said forms to first clamp and mold a blank partly embracing said inside form between said inside and rear outside forms, and then between said side forms and inside form to further clamp and mold said blank, a pair of wipers, operative connections between said wipers and side forms for causing said wipers to wipe in over said inside form a margin of said blank to form a stiffener attaching flange as said outside forms are moved to molding and clamping positions, and means acting to press said wipers toward said inside form as they wipe.

3. In combination, an inside molding form, a back molding form, side molding forms, means for moving said back form toward and from said inside form, means for moving said side forms toward and from said inside form, actuating means, and connections from said actuating meansto' both of said moving means including a lost motion device in one causing actuation of said actuating means to first move said back form into clamping-and molding relation to said inside form, and then to move said side forms into clamping and molding relation to said inside form while said back form remains in clamping and molding position.

4. In combination, an inside molding form, a back molding form, side molding forms, means for moving said back form toward and from said inside form, flange-forming means, means for moving said side forms toward and from said inside form, means for moving said flange-forming means forward over a face of said inside form actuating means, and connections from said actuating means to both of said moving means including a lost motion device in one causing actuation of said actuating means to first move said back form into clamping and molding relation to said inside form, and then to move said side forms into clamping and molding relation to said inside form and to move said flange-forming means forwardly while said back form remains in clamping and molding position.

5. In combination, an inside form, means for molding the back and sides of a blank to the contour of said form and with a marginal portion extending beyond said form, wipers, means for actuating said wipers to bend said margin over a face of said form, and means for forcing said wipers laterally of their wiping motion in a direction to press said marginal portion against said face.

6. In combination, an inside form, means for molding the back and sides of a blank to the contour of said form and with a marginal portion extending beyond said form, wipers, means for moving said wipers forwardly and inwardly from opposite sides against said marginal portion to lay said portion over a face of said form, a support spaced from said face, and a member pivoted to said support and engaged at the opposite end by said wiper moving means to be swung about its pivot as said wipers are moved forwardly toward perpendicular relation thereto to thereby force said wipers toward said face.

7. In a counter molding machine, parts comprising a form and a molding member movable toward each other to mold a portion of a blank placed therebetween, and means pressing said blank intermediate toits top and bottom edges against one of said partsbefore said parts reach fully molded position and preventing tilting of said blank by an eccentric pressure of one portion of the other member thereon as said members approach molding relation.

In a counter molding machine, a form over which a blank may be placed and having a convexed rear face, a rear molding member having a concaved forward face, means for relatively moving said form and molding member to mold a portion of said blank to the heel end contour of the counter between said form and member, and a cushion of yieldable material engaging said blank between its side edges and clamping said blank against said form and preventing the tilting of said blank by greater pressure of one portion of said member than another as said memher and form are moved relatively toward molding positions.

9. In a counter molding machine, a form over which a blank may be placed and having a convexed rear face, a rearmolding member having a concaved forward face, means for relatively moving said form and molding member to mold a portion of said blank to the heel and contour of the counter between said form and member, and a cushion of yieldable material carried on said concaved face in position to engage said blank between its side edges and clamping said blank against said form andpreventing the tilting of said blank by greater pressure of one portion of said member than another as said member and form'are moved relatively toward molding positions.

10. In a counter molding machine, a form over which a counter blank may be placed, a rear molding member, means for relatively moving said form and molding member to mold the heel end portion of the blank, said molding member presenting a hard molding face shaped to produce final molding pressure and initially eccentrically related to said blank and tending to tilt the same, and a cushioning element positioned on a portion of said face for engagement with said blank before said tilting tendency is exerted and holding saidblank against such tilting during the molding operation.

11. In a counter molding machine, parts comprising a form and a molding member movable toward each other to mold a portion of a blank placed therebetween, and means pressing said blank intermediate to its top and bottom edges against one of said parts before said parts reach fully molded position to prevent tilting of said blank.

12. In combination, an inside molding form, a frame supporting said form and having a slideway, a bar axially movable in said slideway, a rear molding form carried by said frame in position to be moved from and toward the heel end of said inside molding form, flange wipers pivoted to said bar and resting on said rear molding form, side presser members, means supporting said presser members for motion toward and from the side of said inside molding form, and means for moving said bar, said side presser members, and said wipers, in timed relation to shape a counter stiffener to the side and back of said inside molding form and to wipe a flange on said stiffener against the top of said form.

MILTON L. DODGE.

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